AirAsia connects Krabi with mainland China

AirAsia will provide a new Chinese connection for the Thai resort province of Krabi, with the launch of direct flights from Guangzhou.

Commencing on 6 November 2014, the new Krabi-Guangzhou route will be operated daily using a 180-seat Airbus A320 aircraft. Flights will depart the southern Chinese city every day at 2045, arriving in Krabi at 0130 the next morning. The return service will then leave at 0220, getting back into Guangzhou at 0450.

“China is an important market for AirAsia,” stated Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia. “Load factor from the country in the first eight months of 2014 averaged 80%. We plan to step up market stimulation during the third and fourth quarters to attract travellers during the year-end holiday season, which will also see a visa waiver for Chinese travellers.

“We are confident our load factor during the end of the year will reach even higher and that our new route addition, between an economic centre in China and Thailand’s south, will stimulate circulation,” he added.

The link between to Guangzhou marks the latest stage of Thai AirAsia’s expansion at Krabi. Earlier this year the low-cost carrier launched its first international flights from the beach resort, connecting to Singapore. It also flies to Krabi from Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

In terms of the Chinese market, Thai AirAsia operates 13 routes to 10 destinations, including Macau and Hong.